Yes please remove the pin after you have all your set up done. The reason we take out the pin is that if you have a shroud failure the mast can fall over with out also breaking the ball or damaging the x-rail it is mounted to.

_________________06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

There is a remote risk of damage if a wire fails, but there is also a real risk of the mast coming off the ball during a capsize, so only with caution and tight wire tensions would I consider removing the pin. The manuals suggest leaving it in place. Understand that a mast coming off the ball in a bad thing too. And upside down Cat is nearly, if not impossible to right with the mast removed. You would have to be assisted and likely towed to the beach upside down.